A fugitive wanted in Charlotte County for more than three years has been captured in Oregon after evading law enforcement across multiple states.
Steven Charles Whitney, born March 16, 1978, was taken into custody in Eugene, Oregon, following a coordinated investigation between the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Eugene Police Department (EPD).
Whitney was wanted in Florida on three active felony warrants, including one connected to a 2022 incident in Punta Gorda in which he allegedly chased and shot at a group of teenagers before fleeing the state. Authorities said he had been using fake identification cards and switching vehicle license plates to avoid detection by license plate reader systems.
According to CCSO, detectives recently determined that Whitney was hiding in Eugene. After verifying his presence, EPD obtained warrants for his arrest and for a search of the home where he was staying. When officers attempted to serve the warrants, Whitney barricaded himself inside the residence for several hours before surrendering peacefully.
During the search, investigators reportedly found multiple fake IDs, about 15 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and several firearms. EPD charged Whitney with multiple new felonies and said he will be extradited back to Charlotte County after those charges are resolved, a process that could take years.
“This individual has been ducking law enforcement for far too long, and now his luck has finally run out,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “I want to recognize my team for their diligence, locating him more than 3,000 miles away. It proves that if you commit a violent crime in Charlotte County, we will not stop until we find you and hold you accountable, no matter where you hide. Thank you to our brothers in blue in Eugene, Oregon, for helping to get this dangerous criminal back behind bars where he belongs.”
Whitney’s Charlotte County charges include:
- Failure to appear (two counts)
- Violation of pre-trial release (aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three counts)
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Fleeing to elude
- Resisting arrest
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- DUI, third offense
